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Sunday, January 20, 2013

Crime News Update

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern and southern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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El Taco Sabroso, 8346 South Pulaski, was robbed at gunpoint at 10:15 p.m. Saturday, January 19.

8346 South Pulaski

According to two employees (a 27-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman), a man walked in, waved a handgun and said "Give me the money."After the employees gave him about $500 cash, the criminal fled out the door and ran south on Pulaski and then west through the CVS parking lot at 8444 South Pulaski.The robber was described as a black man age 17-20, 5'8 to 5'10 and 150-160 pounds, wearing a black ski mask, a gray hoodie and black gloves.Several patrons of a nearby bar told police that the saw the robber and another man fleeing; all but one of the witnesses declined to give their names to police.

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A 42-year-old Hometown man was arrested and charged in connection with a garage burglary in Garfield Ridge.

Zygmont Parcyzh

Zygmont Parcyzh of 89th and Kostner was charged with one count of felony theft, according to police.Police on patrol said at about 6:30 a.m. Friday, January 18 they spotted Parcyzh pushing a lawn mower down an alley near 58th and Oak Park. They stopped him and took him into custody.Police were later contacted by a 45-year-old man who lives near the site. He identified the lawn mower as his---missing from his garage via the service door.

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A 22-year-old West Lawn man was robbed at gunpoint as he put gas in his car at the Mobil gas station at 3642 West 59th Street.

3642 West 59th Street

At 12:15 a.m. Friday, January 18 the man was accosted by two men---one pointing a pistol at his face and demanding money. The victim surrendered his cell phone, a walkie-talkie and $200 cash.Before fleeing, the thugs pepper-sprayed the victim's face.He described one as a black man, 5'7 and 150 pounds, wearing a black hoodie. There was no description of the other robber.

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Three Ashburn men were arrested in connection with the robbery a 39-year-old Scottsdale man in an alley near 86th and Kenneth.The three are Cornell Primar, 21, of 86th and Central Park; Masheki Ballard, 19, of 84th and Hamlin; and Brandon Cail, 22, of 85th Place and Central Park. All three are gang members, according to police.Minutes after 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 19, the victim said he was accosted in the alley by three men. After he surrendered his cell phone and three dollars, one of the robbers reportedly became angry, put a blue steel handgun against his cheek and said "I know you got more f~ckin' money. I'll blow your brains out."The victim then gave up an additional $70 cash. The trio fled east toward Pulaski. Police responding were pointed in the direction of three men by several Ashburn residents, including a man who said he saw one of the three toss a wad of cash into his back yard while he was fleeing.According to police, Ballard and Primar were apprehended near 85th Place and Hamlin. They were positively identified by the victim.Police said they apprehended Cail at his home after seeing a pair of blue sweatpants atopa garbage cart behind the house. They also said they found the handgun used in the crime in another garbage cart in the area. They said the victim also positively IDed Cail.Additionally, police said they found small amounts of marijuana on two of the three suspects.

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A 30-year-old Archer Heights woman proved too stubborn and tough for a thug who tried to rob her.At 6:50 p.m. Wednesday, January 16, the woman was walking on a sidewalk near 44th and Komensky when the would-be robber said "Give me your purse." When the woman did not comply, the crook grabbed her purse and tried to snatch it away.The victim won the tug of war and ran away south on Komensky toward her home. The criminal fled in an unknown direction.The offender was described as a white Hispanic man age 25-30, 5'10 to 6'0, olive complexion, a crew cut hair style, a small moustache, wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans.

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In what police are calling a gang-related incident, a 19-year-old Little Village man was shot on the street near 65th Place and Springfield at about 3:45 a.m. Sunday, January 20.Witnesses told police that the victim was shot while fighting with another man. After the shooter fled, the victim was driven to Holy Cross Hospital by friends. He was treated for gun shot wounds to his left cheek and right wrist.Witnesses described the shooter only as a man with a light complexion.

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A 22-year-old Clearing man allegedly threatened his 19-year-old girlfriend and her 59-year-old aunt before being led away from their Clearing home by police.According to police, Omar Juma of 63rd and Natchez was found in front of his girlfriend's home near 64th and Lorel at 7:50 a.m. Saturday, January 19.Police said that his girlfriend claimed that during an argument, Juma allegedly said "B~tch, I'll f~ck you up"; and that when her aunt tried to intervene, he said to her "B~tch, I'll grab my knife and stab you."Police added that both the girlfriend and her aunt refused to sign a complaint against Juma, just asking for him to be removed from their home. Police advised them to seek a legal order of protection and then transported Juma to his home.No knife was found on Juma or at the scene of the argument, police said.Juma was mentioned in a crime report posted last August by the Southwest Chicago Post.

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Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 813 or 833 (see map), come to West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 22. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.

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About Us

The Southwest Chicago Post is an independent news service delivering news and opinion to the people of Chicago's Southwest Side.

We promote prosperity, progress and peace in the neighborhoods we serve.

We intend to champion homeowners, locally owned and operated small businesses and professional practices, schools, libraries, parks, houses of worship and more.

We also strongly support efforts to prevent crime and make our neighborhoods safer.

We cheerfully assist and promote members of our business and professional community, particularly those that are independent, locally owned and which hire local residents.

This online news service is owned and operated by lifelong Southwest Siders Joan Hadac (Editor and Publisher) and Tim Hadac (Managing Editor), both of whom have worked as local newspaper reporters and editors for over 25 years each.

Do you have a news tip, big or small? A letter to the editor? Want us to come out and cover your event? Let us know: editor@swchicagopost.com.